Derek Jeter on Retirement: I Want to Do Other Things, Have Kids

He says he will retire after the 2014 season

Derek Jeter said Wednesday he is "ready to do other things" after his final season this year with the Yankees, including focusing on his foundation and having children.

The 39-year-old shortstop took questions from reporters at the Yankees' spring training complex in Tampa, a week after he posted a long letter on his Facebook page announcing his retirement and saying that 2014 will be his final year.

The 13-time All Star who has led the Yankees to five World Series championships said Wednesday he had been pondering his next move since last year, when he was limited to 17 games while trying to recover from a broken left ankle sustained in the 2012 playoffs.

"You start thinking about how long do you really want to do this," he said. "I felt as thought it was the right time."

"I want to have a family," he added later. "That's important to me. I look forward to that."

Jeter said he would also like to spend more time on his foundation, which seeks to motivate young people to stay away from alcohol and drugs.

Jeter was the last link to the powerful Yankees teams that won three straight World Series crowns from 1998-2000. Longtime teammates Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte retired after last year.

Jeter is the Yankees' career hits leader with 3,316. He is a lifetime .312 hitter in 19 seasons, with 256 home runs and 1,261 RBIs.

Jeter has scored 1,876 runs and stolen 348 bases. He also is a five-time Gold Glove winner.

Last season, Jeter hit just .190 with one homer and seven RBIs.

Jeter said he's fully ready for spring training this year and set to play. He said his decision "has nothing to do with how I feel physically."
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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